We have a couple of places that, for a fee, will give you a class, and once certified, will let you rent their LAs at their shop. If you can find some places like this near you, you can really spend some time with a single machine before you buy. My LQS encourages folks to take a class like this before you even begin seriously shopping, because you have a much better idea of what you are looking for in a machine.

Heidi
Life is like a tornado watch. You can hunker down in the cellar or stand on the roof and let the wind give you rock star hair!

Keep in mind that the TinLizzie machines are the same as the Pfaff/Viking machines. The HQ are the same as the BL machines. If you find you really like HQ for instance, you may be able to get essentially the same machine for a better price under the BL name (although HQ has a frame with the additional take up bar (dead bar) which I wish I had on my machine).

Michael from SewNPlace is there with the new Juki. I suspect that machine will be great and he'll probably be offering a great deal since it was just recently released. It has the extra take up bar and an extra high harp. It also has automatic scissors.

I saw Innova, APQS, Gammill, Juki and Tin Lizzie.

Good luck looking around. Remember, if you can't decide yet, the Hershey show is only a few months away!

Test drive several models. Some move easier than others due to weight of machine, drag on the rails, etc. Ask about service...if you run into a problem, is there someone nearby who can service the machine? Ask about warranty. I would highly recommend Nolting....awesome customer service and knowledgable staff. On our 3rd machine from them and have loved all of them.

For over a year I tested longarms at shows and went to 4 different dealers and tried some again. Went back to the DesMoines show and had DH test my favorites, too. He doesn't quilt but anyone can feel how a machine runs and handles. I chose the Innova, basic 18". After two years, I am very happy with it. I had never even used a longarm other than the test drives so had a learning curve and know I made the best choice for me. I have fibromyalgia big time and arthritis in my feet. This machine moves so smoothly I can go an hour at a time without physical problems--love it. My only wish was that I had gotten the 22" and not have to roll so often.
Enjoy your journey.
Lynne

I've been researching information on a long arm for about a year now. I was pretty set on getting an Innova 18" or 22" machine until I went to the show expo in Puyallup, Wa at the beginning of this month and tried out the new Juki 18". I loved the Juki! The price with everything was $7995. I was familiar with Juki's as I had a TL98Q on a B-line frame that I just sold to make room for my new long arm. Over the 5 years I had the Juki it never needed service... I took it in to our local dealing recently to service it prior to selling and he cleaned it and fine tuned it but nothing was wrong with it at all. That machine is a workhorse and the new long arm I suspect will be the same. Definitely try the long arms out. I was told by the Juki dealer at the show that the new long arm was modeled after an industrial Juki that is used worldwide...pretty much the same machine but made into a home long arm. I don't plan to quilt in a business any time in the future so this is now my quandary ...get the Innova or the new Juki!

I've been researching information on a long arm for about a year now. I was pretty set on getting an Innova 18" or 22" machine until I went to the show expo in Puyallup, Wa at the beginning of this month and tried out the new Juki 18". I loved the Juki! The price with everything was $7995. I was familiar with Juki's as I had a TL98Q on a B-line frame that I just sold to make room for my new long arm. Over the 5 years I had the Juki it never needed service... I took it in to our local dealing recently to service it prior to selling and he cleaned it and fine tuned it but nothing was wrong with it at all. That machine is a workhorse and the new long arm I suspect will be the same. Definitely try the long arms out. I was told by the Juki dealer at the show that the new long arm was modeled after an industrial Juki that is used worldwide...pretty much the same machine but made into a home long arm. I don't plan to quilt in a business any time in the future so this is now my quandary ...get the Innova or the new Juki! Susanne

Do you have a LQS where you can rent time on a machine? I wish I had been able to do more than just test. True confession is I don't really enjoy the quilting process. I could piece or applique forever, but feel so disappointed in my efforts to quilt them. I have a Janome Artistic 18 which is a good system in my opinion. All I feel confident doing is very basic meander and loops with an occasional wonky heart. I do practice, but am really having a hard time with the quilting process. All that to say I would really think about whether you want to make the investment and try to do more than test before you invest. I tend to get easily sucked into purchases, so I would really look before you leap if that is your tendency. Hope this isn't too negative. Just my experience with my LA.

and will be at the Lancaster quilt show tomorrow. What should I look at, and what questions should I ask?

I figure that if I remain afraid of it I'll never move on, and my daughter seems to be doing ok with just a cheapie regular machine doing FMQ, so let the quilting begin......

i was on the edge of buying a long arm machine. I looked on Longarm University and bingo, I found one. I have quilted on it with my mom and we are loving it. Looked for a used one at an affordable price and just do it. You will love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!